{"id":2441,"date":"2023-09-10T02:24:05","date_gmt":"2023-09-10T02:24:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/yamal-makes-history-for-spain-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2023-09-10T02:24:05","modified_gmt":"2023-09-10T02:24:05","slug":"yamal-makes-history-for-spain-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/yamal-makes-history-for-spain-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Yamal makes history for Spain | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nPARIS:
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Lamine Yamal<\/a> brightened the gloom that has descended over Spanish football by becoming the country’s youngest ever player and goalscorer as La Roja thrashed Georgia 7-1 on Friday to get their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign back on track.<\/p>\n

On a night of goals, Scotland beat Cyprus 3-0 and Croatia put five past Latvia while Portugal were made to work a bit harder, Bruno Fernandes on target in the 1-0 win in Slovakia.<\/p>\n

The build up to Spain’s match was tarnished by the ongoing saga of federation president Luis Rubiales<\/a> and his kiss on the lips of women’s midfielder Jenni Hermoso in the aftermath of their World Cup triumph over England in Sydney last month.<\/p>\n

Spanish public prosecutors announced on Friday they had filed a lawsuit against Rubiales for sexual assault and coercion.<\/p>\n

Spain’s mood in the Euro qualifiers was also not helped by a defeat by Scotland in their second game had left them fourth in Group A.<\/p>\n

But they climbed up to second with a big win in Tbilisi, inspired by an Alvaro Morata hat-trick — although the Atletico Madrid forward’s treble takes second place to Yamal’s superb first appearance for his country at 16 years and 57 days old.<\/p>\n

The Barcelona teenager came on from the bench with Nico Williams after 43 minutes to replace Marco Asensio and Dani Olmo, who had both suffered knocks, with Spain 4-0 up and cruising.<\/p>\n

Yamal finished lethally in the 74th minute to send Spain 7-1 up after Williams found him with a cut-back.<\/p>\n

“I’m happy obviously, for my debut and my goal,” Yamal told Spanish broadcaster Teledeporte.<\/p>\n

“It’s a dream, I’m living in a dream right now.”<\/p>\n

Morata’s opener in the 22nd minute was followed by Solomon Kvirkvelia’s own goal.<\/p>\n

Olmo drilled the third past Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili in the 38th minute and Morata added the fourth after a slick exchange with Ruiz.<\/p>\n

Spain were forced to change both their wingers before half-time and Yamal gratefully grabbed the chance to make history.<\/p>\n

Watford’s Giorgi Chakvetadze pulled one back for Georgia before Morata completed his hat-trick, Williams and Yamal completing the rout.<\/p>\n

Spain, who face Cyprus in Granada on Tuesday, remain nine points behind Scotland, who have played two games more.<\/p>\n

The Scots made it five wins from five as Scott McTominay, Ryan Porteous and John McGinn all struck within the opening half an hour in Larnaca.<\/p>\n

Steve Clarke’s men could seal their place in Germany next year with three games to spare should Norway and Georgia draw in Oslo on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

“We know we’re close, but we’re not there yet,” said McGinn.<\/p>\n

“We need to be responsible, keep our mature heads on. We’re excited, there’s no doubt about that. Tonight’s a huge win, five wins from five.<\/p>\n

“Only our wee country could mess it up from here, so we need to stay calm.”<\/p>\n

Bruno Fernandes earned Portugal a fifth consecutive triumph in qualifying, his goal securing a 1-0 win over Slovakia in Bratislava.<\/p>\n

Roberto Martinez’s side have not conceded a goal in Group J, scoring 15, and are five points clear of their opponents who are second after being beaten for the first time.<\/p>\n

Cristiano Ronaldo, making his 201st Portugal appearance at the age of 38, scored against Slovakia back in 2005 in a World Cup qualifier, one of a record 850 career goals, but could not add to the tally on this occasion.<\/p>\n

In the 43rd minute, Fernandes sent Portugal ahead, drilling home from a tight angle into the far corner, his third goal of the qualifying campaign.<\/p>\n

The Euro 2016 winners host Luxembourg on Monday in their next qualifier, while Slovakia welcome Liechtenstein.<\/p>\n

The Luxembourgers claimed a rare victory with a 3-1 win over Iceland while Liechtenstein went down 2-1 to Bosnia and Herzogovena.<\/p>\n

Bruno Petkovic scored twice and set up Luka Ivanusec for another in the first half to put Croatia in control of their tie against Latvia.<\/p>\n

Andrej Kramaric and Mario Pasalic completed a 5-0 win with goals in the second period.<\/p>\n

Croatia are second in Group D, three points behind Turkey who were held to a 1-1 draw by Armenia, who play Croatia on Monday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n